Quiz: The Flower Identification Quiz: HowStuffWorks

The Flower Identification Quiz

SCIENCE

By: Kennita Leon

6 Min Quiz

Image: Visoot Uthairam/Moment/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Flowers are one of the things that we humans cannot explain. Meaning, they were here long before us and some of them will be, here long after we're gone. While humans have stepped up and created a few of their own, there's nothing manmade about the way these plants makes us feel. From conveying love with the popular rose to happiness with a gigantic sunflower, these plants are one of the best gifts we have on this planet. But how well do you know them? Are you well-versed enough to tell us their names if we showed you pictures?

Sure, it's easy to name a rose, carnation, and lily, but what about the more difficult flowers like the aster, the winter jasmine, and the protea. Some unappetizingly-named flowers like the spiderwort, witch hazel, and monkshood may not even be on your radar. But they are in this quiz. It's up to you to use our questions, hints, and your knowledge of these brightly-colored plants to try to ace this quiz.

Could you really name all the flowers in this quiz correctly? Let's find out!

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Maybe the most tattooed flowers in the Japanese style, what's the name of this flower?

Waxflower

Peony

Sunflower

Snapdragon

This flowering plant is a member of the genus Paeonia and is recognized by its bowl-shaped flowers. It is native to North America, Europe and Asia and has about 40 different species.

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A flower that has a cold substance in its name, what does this one look like?

Ranunculus

Poppy

Tulip

Snowdrop

The snowdrop is a small but bulbous plant with white, dome-shaped flowers. This spring flower is known as "Galanthus," which means "milk flower" in English.

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Also known as the clove pink, what's the better known name of this particular flower?

Phlox

Lavender

Carnation

Heather

The carnation flower is known for its fringed petals and the slim leaves of its plant. This herbaceous plant is also called clove pink or grenadine and it is indigenous to Eurasia.

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Its root is used as a spice. What do you think this one is called

Ginger

Lilac

Golden rod

Freesia

The ginger flower is endemic to the rainforests of India and its root is often used as a spice. This flower is grown from a rhizome and can be yellow or purple.

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Scientifically known as Tradescantia, what's the common name of this beauty?

Cornflower

Gerbera

Spiderwort

Cockscomb

Spiderworts, scientifically known as Tradescantia, are wide flowers measuring about 1 to 3 inches. They also have three round petals of various colors, such as white, pink, blue and deep blue-violet.

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Named after a winged creature, what's this tropical flower called?

Bird of paradise

Sunflower

Poppy

Baby's breath

Bird of paradise is a tropical flower that often serves as an ornamental plant. It is also known as the crane flower and is recognized by its pointy flowers of bright orange and blue.

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A very festive flower, what name does this one go by?

Golden rod

Gardenia

Iris

Hollyberry

The Hollyberry is a popular Christmas symbol and is often used during this season for wreaths and other adornments. Hollyberry is the last genus of the Aquifoliaceae family.

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Also called the African daisy, what does one call this popular bouquet flower?

Calla lily

Gerbera

Delphinium

Cone flower

Gerbera is often called the African daisy and is a member of this family. It is a popular flower and legend has it, that it is named after Traugott Gerbera, a German botanist.

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This flower's name is often preceded by the word "black." What is it called?

Lavender

Dahlia

Freesia

Phlox

Dahlia is a beautiful flower that grows in different sizes, shapes and colors. Similar to daisies and sunflowers, it is a member of the Aster family and the national flower of Seattle, USA.

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Often lemon-scented, what is this flower known as?

Tulip

Snapdragon

Golden rod

Freesia

Freesia is a part of the Iris family and is also endemic to South Africa. Its flowers are lemon-scented and shaped like a bell and can be found in orange, yellow, white and blue.

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Both a flower and a color, what do you think this one is called?

Heather

Waxflower

Lilac

Ranunculus

Lilac is a flower of the Oleaceae family that is noted for its pleasant scent. It is often purple but has been found in other hues, such as magenta, blue and white.

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It has a seemingly religious name. Which one do you think it is?

Sunflower

Star of Bethlehem

Lilac

Gerbera

The Star of Bethlehem is a flower that is sometimes regarded as "the florist's nightmare" due to the fact that it grows just about anywhere it can. Its scientific name is Ornigothalum.

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The dried version is what you usually see in bouquets. But what is the live version called?

Statice

Iris

Goldenrod

Cornflower

Statice can be found in batches of small violet flowers, which may, upon maturity, turn white. They were initially grown in meadows but are often used in dried flower arrangements.

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Resembling the face of a particular creature, can you match this flower to its name?

Cockscomb

Gardenia

Poppy

Turtlehead

Turtlehead is named after the head of its flowers which resembles a turtle's head. This wildflower grows in thick spikes of purple, pink and white flowers with yellow streaks in some.

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A type of lily, what is this flower called?

Baby's breath

Delphinium

Lavender

Stargazer

Stargazers are flowers found in fascinating hues of bright pink and white. This hybrid lily is also called Lilium Orientalis and is a perennial that requires minimal care.

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Their shapes are in their names, but which name is that?

Anthurium

Purple coneflower

Freesia

Phlox

Purple coneflowers are light purple with brown in the middle. They are native to North America, such as the wooded areas and prairies of the southeastern USA.

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The flower most used to show love, what is this classic called?

Coneflower

Gerbera

Tulip

Rose

Roses are a very popular flower that have more than 100 species. They are highly sought for their lovely aroma and the vast array of colors into which they blossom.

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Also a popular woman's name, what do you think this one is called?

Calla lily

Sunflower

Heather

Cornflower

Heather is an evergreen shrub that brings forth an assortment of flowers. These shrubs usually grow in Europe and, though they are often found in shades of purple, they can also be white, red and pink.

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Known for its bright color and huge size, what is this favorite called?

Heather

Sunflower

Spider lily

Iris

Sunflowers have a large yellow head. This tall plant sticks true to its name and requires at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day.

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Also a bright pink, can you correctly match this flower to its name?

Fuchsia

Snapdragon

Ranunculus

Waxflower

Fuchsia are delicate, exotic tubular/bell-shaped flowers that are also known as Lady's Eardrop. These versatile flowers are noted for their white or vivid reddish-purple petals.

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Although it has a metallic color in its name, this flower comes in many different shades. What is it?

Gardenia

Marigold

Lilac

Cockscomb

Marigolds are the shared name for the species of the Tagetes family to which the sunflower also belongs. They are found in many colors, such as yellow, red, and orange and may be produced in clusters.

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Also called the sugar bush, what flower do you think this is?

Phlox

Protea

Lavender

Goldenrod

Protea is more or less a flower bush that is also known as "sugarbushes." This flower, which is found in South Africa, has bowl-shaped flower heads and is said to epitomize hope.

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Its name makes it sound hard and heavy. What is it called?

Poppy

Tulip

Sunflower

Leadplant

This small plant is noted for its silver-like leaves and flowers that are purple, long and slender. Leadplant is native to Ontario, Canada, and can be found in Montana in the US.

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Seemingly related to the classic rose, what do you think this flower is?

Spider lily

Primrose

Casablanca

Coneflower

English or common primrose are the most popularly known primrose flowers. They are endemic to Africa, Asia and Europe. The common primrose is pale yellow.

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%E5%88%A9%E7%94%A8%E8%80%85:Sphl via Wiki Commons

Scientifically known as Lillium, which favorite is this?

Gerbera

Ranunculus

Freesia

Lily

Lilies, scientifically known as Lillium, are popular flowers used to signify love, innocence and purity. Lilies have "trumpet"-like flowers of orange, white, pink, red, and yellow.

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Known for its amazing scent, can you tell us what this particular flower is known as?

Phlox

Sweet Pea

Spider lily

Snapdragon

The sweet pea has been grown since Victorian times. It is known for its aroma and is also known as the climbing plant because the pea entangles itself around plants and other structures as it grows.

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A flower that loves the cold. If you look at its name, what is this one called?

Baby's breath

Winter Heath

Gardenia

Calla lily

Winter Heath or Erica Carnea, is a pink flower that eventually becomes a dark purple as time goes by. It is native to the Alps in Central Europe and can be found in woodlands and open fields.

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A popular summer flower, what name do you think belongs to this flower?

Paper Daisy

Goldenrod

Waxflower

Iris

The Paper Daisy has stratified petals of colors such as orange, white and pink, with yellow centers filled with pollen. Paper Daisies are the most common type of daisy and they flower during Summer.

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Don't be fooled by its good looks because this flower can be poisonous. What is it called?

Phlox

Cockscomb

Tulip

Daphne

Daphne is a flowering plant with radiant berries and scented petals. These ornamental plants produce flowers that are poisonous to humans and animals alike, causing pain and irritation.

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Of the lily family, what name does this one go by?

Poppy

Phlox

Sunflower

Tulip

Tulips can be easily recognized by their large petals that are often brightly colored and cup-shaped. Tulips are widely grown and are part of the Liliaceae (lily) family.

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Also called the Cornus Florida, what's the more common name of this flower?

Dogwood

Lilac

Lavender

Heather

The 33-foot deciduous tree, also known as Cornus Florida, produces the dogwood flower. The flowers, which are a symbol of Christianity, are white with greenish-yellowish bracts in the middle.

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Said to be used in magical spells, what other name is wolfsbane known as?

Cornflower

Spider lily

Monkshood

Gerbera

Monkshood, also known as wolfsbane or aconite, are flowers of purple, yellow, white, blue and pink. These ornamental flowers are very poisonous and should not be held without gloves.

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A member of the mint family, what is this cone-like flower called?

Coneflower

Ranunculus

Anise Hyssop

Delphinium

Anise Hyssop is a member of the mint family of Lamiaceae. The plant is noted for its wide, oval-shaped and faded green leaves and small, fragrant lavender flowers.

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A very popular garden flower, what is this plant, which is also called jonquil, known as?

Daffodil

Snapdragon

Spider lily

Waxflower

This well-known flower is popular is many gardens and is commonly produced in yellow and white. Daffodils are trumpet-shaped flowers that are also called jonquils and narcissus.

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It has the kind of name that makes you think of magic, but what is it called?

Tulip

Witch hazel

Sunflower

Phlox

Witch hazels are flowering plants that were once used as medicine by Native Americans. They produce a bevy of slender petals of red and yellow and are called the "winter bloom" in North America.

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Also called starworts, what's the more popular name of this flower?

Freesia

Gardenia

Aster

Ginger

Asters are also known as starworts, Michaelmas daisies, and frost flowers. These brightly colored, star-shaped flowers add radiance to any garden during summer and late autumn.

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If you think of a cold season and a specific Disney princess, you'll get the name of this flower. Which one is it?

Goldenrod

Heather

Iris

Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine is native to China. Scientifically known as Jasminum nudiflorum, this flowering shrub has white or yellow flowers, is deciduous (flowers falls off at maturity), and best suited to warm climates.

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A great choice for landscaping, what's the name of this flower?

Lilac

Phlox

Nerine

Garden mums

Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are often cultivated in gardens and used for landscaping. This is due to their variety of brightly colored flowers that grow in thick bundles.

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When translated, it means "rose tree." What is its actual name?

Spider Lily

Rhododendron

Poppy

Sunflower

Rhododendron is a combination of Greek words which mean "rose tree" in English. The name refers to more than 1,000 variations of woody plants. Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal.

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The state flower of Alabama, what do you think this is?

Snapdragon

Tulip

Camelia

Spider Lily

Camelia is a flowering plant that is generally found in many parts of Asia. It is the state flower of Alabama and the leaves of the plant are often used to make oil and tea.

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